College Grad Moving to Columbus, HELP! (Atlanta: apartment complexes, lease, lofts)

[Go Dawgs 85]

Hi,

I will be graduating in May 2011 from UGA in Athens. I have an offer to take a job and move to Columbus, GA. I will be relocating from Atlanta and don't know anything about Columbus.

I will have a company car and will be driving all in Columbus. I'm looking to move into an area that's young and trendy but not upscale and expensive. According to my research I see that zip code 31904 North of downtown is nicer than downtown itself (correct me if I'm wrong). I don't know the area around Columbus State University or Downtown Columbus. If you can help me out with pointing out some ghetto areas to stay away from, nice areas and some more affluent places, I would really appreciate it.

I will only be making $55,000 a year and I would like my budget to be around $500/mth on rent + utilities. I wanted to find out if there were any apartments that you would recommend and/or if they lease by bedroom rather than the whole apartment. I am planning on making a couple of trips to Columbus before I graduate and would like to be well informed.

Since I am Indian, I was wondering if there are pockets of areas where Indians live. How is the traffic in Orlando? I noticed some toll roads, how expensive are they?

Thanks,

MIL

[Columbus1984]

Originally Posted by Go Dawgs 85

Hi,

I will be graduating in May 2011 from UGA in Athens. I have an offer to take a job and move to Columbus, GA. I will be relocating from Atlanta and don't know anything about Columbus.

I will have a company car and will be driving all in Columbus. I'm looking to move into an area that's young and trendy but not upscale and expensive. According to my research I see that zip code 31904 North of downtown is nicer than downtown itself (correct me if I'm wrong). I don't know the area around Columbus State University or Downtown Columbus. If you can help me out with pointing out some ghetto areas to stay away from, nice areas and some more affluent places, I would really appreciate it.

I will only be making $55,000 a year and I would like my budget to be around $500/mth on rent + utilities. I wanted to find out if there were any apartments that you would recommend and/or if they lease by bedroom rather than the whole apartment. I am planning on making a couple of trips to Columbus before I graduate and would like to be well informed.

Since I am Indian, I was wondering if there are pockets of areas where Indians live. How is the traffic in Orlando? I noticed some toll roads, how expensive are they?

Thanks,

MIL

Congrats on the new job and welcome to Columbus. If you are looking for more of a suburban feel check out some places in North Columbus. Greystone Properties has some very nice apartment communities. Here is their website: Columbus GA Apartment Communities Listing by Greystone Properties, LLC

Most of their properties are located in excellent areas with tons of restaurants, retail, access to major roads, etc.

Downtown Columbus has some nice places as well. Lots of condos and apartment opportunities. Check this place out: 11th Street Lofts - Welcome Home | Apartments - Columbus, GA. Downtown Columbus is a lot of fun. Has a lot of bars and cool restaurants to hang out at.

Are you looking to buy or rent?

Areas around CSU are mainly neighborhoods and dorms.

You will like Columbus a lot. I am a UGA grad as well .

Let me know if you have specific questions around a certain apartment communities or loft/condo downtown.

[Go Dawgs 85]

Hi 1984,

Thank you so much for input, I really appreciate it.

I was researching the demographics and it shows that downtown seems to be lower income compared to north columbus. I definitely don't want to live in the hood. What are some of the bad areas I should avoid?

How long have you lived in Columbus? Where did you live first when you moved there? I'm looking to rent for at least a year before I even think about buying. Since I don't know ANYONE, I will have to be open minded and actively meet new people and make friends.

It's nice to hear from a Georgia Alum. Go Dawgs!

Mil

[kimolive]

I believe if you are wanting a nicer apartment, even a one bedroom....you will be looking at more than $500/m to be in a desirable location. A lot of the complexes are based upon the BAH of the military and many of them get as much as $800 for a single soldier. My daughter was looking for a one bedroom in Phenix City and it was $825/m...this did include water (lol). They told us that they had actually come down on the rent prices. The military families are complaining about how high the rent prices are in our area.

You should be able to go to the Ledger-Enquirer and check the crime report for various areas. Good luck!

[Go Dawgs 85]

Originally Posted by kimolive

A lot of the complexes are based upon the BAH of the military and many of them get as much as $800 for a single soldier.

Hi Kim,

Thanks for the "ledger-inquirer". I'll check it out. What is a BAH? $800 for 1 bedroom is crazy, Atlanta is much lower than that!

MIL

[Ross706]

I'm from Columbus born and raised I grew up off of buena vista road I'm only eighteen but I've seen alot of changes in east Columbus and the whole city in general. Alot of people will tell you to look for a place on the northside of town which I would agree is safer than most but in certain areas now its getting just as worse as anywhere else. Downtown Columbus, as far as broadway and a couple streets over is like a whole different world its real nice but you'll come across some crazy areas as well but in this day and age nowhere is truely safe. Good luck on finding a place in Columbus, and I hope you enjoy your time here. Bless.

[kimolive]

Ross, to be only 18...you are wise beyond your years. There is no crime-free zone anywhere. You can check credit reports, drive around & see what's going on, and mainly...look out for yourself....don't do drugs or hang out with people that do. Also, as in the old saying...nothing good happens after midnight. Go home & go to sleep. I have lived in Phenix City for 7 years & we've been okay, but I don't hang out at all. Everything we do involves our family....not that we are perfect, but I have no gripes about this area.

[crazyadrainy]

I don't know if answering this thread is still relevant, but as far as looking for a place to live, I am a college student at CSU and I've moved every year to a new place so I know a lot about rent!
To keep it cheap, I would recommend trying to find a place in the lakebottom area. If you are the type of person that won't use the "amenities" that apartment complexes like to offer (like me), it is best to go with a duplex or fourplex. There are also a lot of cottages available. Greystone is nice but it is a little expensive! I personally can't stand the cookie-cutter ness of apartments and in the lakebottom area you will find that most places have their own little charm.

[greatercolumbusga]

Here is a great place to start! Seriously, over 500 pages about Columbus Georgia Columbus, Georgia - Free Information, Directory, Events, Restaurants, Relocation, Visitors Hope you like it...let us know